Mahila Sammelan at Karauli (Sapotara, Panchayat Samiti)- 8th March ,2008
In Sapotara Panchayat Samiti of Karauli district, Mahila sammelan on issue of women empowerment was organised on 8th March 08, 2500 women participants from Sapotara block came to attend the programme. The sammelan included various topics of discussion- early marriage, early pregnancy, deteriorating health of women, female feticide, girl’s education and safety of girls and women.
The speakers were – Pradhan of Sapotara panchayat samitis, ex MP and Ex Union Minister Jaskaur Meena, District Collector of Karauli- Navin Jain, MLA- Mr. Sukhlal Meena, Anju Dwivedi from PRIA Rajasthan and Mamta Jaitley of Vividha ( CSO in Jaipur working on issue of women empowerment)
Highlights of the discussions were increasing role of women in development work and hard labour they put in as labourers (NREGS), increased reservation of women to 50% in PRIs etc yet the social and gender indicators remain poor in the district as well as in the state. To improve the status of women and girls in society , women need to take up the role of reformers. To check crime against women, women need to speak out. Instead of taking the relatives or friends, to ultrasound clinic for identifying the sex of the child, the women should put stop to it. When women stand up and raise their voices against an issue, it is likely that issue would be addressed. However, the power equations need to be changed and challenged which is difficult but collectives of women can make a difference
The women who had done some exemplary work in Sapotara were felicitated such as anganwadi workers, sarpanches and ward panches